Valence Security is a cybersecurity firm specializing in securing Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. Founded in 2021, the company focuses on providing comprehensive visibility and remediation capabilities for business-critical SaaS applications such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, GitHub, and Slack. Valence Security's mission is to empower organizations to securely adopt SaaS by mitigating risks associated with misconfigurations, identity management, data exposure, and SaaS-to-SaaS integrations.
Key Strategic Focus
Valence Security's strategic focus centers on delivering a unified SaaS security platform that combines discovery, posture management, risk remediation, and threat detection. The platform offers:
- SaaS Discovery: Comprehensive inventory of all SaaS applications to identify security gaps and reduce risks related to shadow IT and unmanaged identities.
- SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM): Centralized management of risks across SaaS applications to identify and prioritize misconfigurations, enforce security policies, and comply with industry standards.
- SaaS Risk Remediation: Flexible options ranging from manual to automated remediation, including collaboration features that engage users and admins to gain necessary business context.
- SaaS Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR): Monitoring activities of both human and non-human identities to detect suspicious behavior and proactively hunt threats.
This comprehensive approach enables security teams to secure their critical SaaS applications and ensure continuous compliance without impeding business productivity.
Financials and Funding
Valence Security has raised a total of $32 million in funding. In October 2022, the company secured $25 million in a Series A funding round led by Microsoft's M12 venture fund, with participation from YL Ventures, Porsche Ventures, Akamai Technologies, Alumni Ventures, and former Symantec CEO Michael Fey. The funds were utilized to accelerate its programs in the US and the growth of its go-to-market and R&D teams.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Valence Security's platform is distinguished by its integration of zero-trust security principles into the SaaS ecosystem. Key technological innovations include:
- Collaborative Remediation Workflows: Engaging business users to contextualize and reduce SaaS data sharing, supply chain, identity, and misconfiguration risks with scalable policy enforcement and automated workflows.
- AI-Powered Features: In June 2023, Valence launched a generative AI assistant for its SaaS security platform, reportedly an industry first. This AI assistant fills information gaps needed to navigate various SaaS platforms and services within modern enterprise tech stacks.
Leadership Team
- Yoni Shohet: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. A seasoned entrepreneur with a successful track record in the Israeli cybersecurity landscape. Yoni received his BSc in Mathematics at the age of 19 and completed his service in the Israel Defense Forces as a cybersecurity team leader and project manager. Valence is the second cybersecurity startup he has founded, following his time as CEO and co-founder of SCADAfence, a pioneer in industrial IoT cybersecurity.
- Shlomi Matichin: Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. Shlomi brings extensive experience in cybersecurity and technology development, contributing to the innovative solutions offered by Valence Security.
- Beth Ellis: Chief Marketing Officer. Beth leads the marketing strategies, enhancing the company's market presence and customer engagement.
- Bob Horn: Chief Revenue Officer. Bob oversees the revenue generation strategies, focusing on sales growth and market expansion.
Competitor Profile
Valence Security operates in the SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) sector, a rapidly growing segment within the cybersecurity industry. The increasing adoption of SaaS applications has heightened the demand for robust security solutions to manage associated risks. Key competitors in this space include:
- Cynet - All-in-One Cybersecurity Platform: Offers a comprehensive security solution converging multiple technologies to defend against various types of attacks.
- SpinOne: Provides all-in-one SaaS security for mission-critical SaaS applications.
- Netskope One Platform: A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) offering security solutions for cloud applications.
- Zygon: Focuses on modern identity governance at scale, automating access reviews and identity lifecycle operations.
- Varonis Data Security Platform: Detects insider threats and cyberattacks by analyzing data, account activity, and user behavior.
These competitors offer various solutions within the SSPM domain, each with unique features and capabilities.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Valence Security has established significant partnerships to enhance its market position and innovation capacity. Notably, the company is backed by leading cybersecurity investors, including Microsoft's M12 and YL Ventures. These collaborations provide strategic support and resources, enabling Valence to accelerate its growth and development initiatives.
Operational Insights
Valence Security differentiates itself through its comprehensive approach to SaaS security, integrating discovery, posture management, risk remediation, and threat detection into a unified platform. This holistic strategy addresses the complexities and decentralized management of modern SaaS environments, providing organizations with the tools to secure their critical applications effectively. The company's focus on collaborative remediation workflows and AI-powered features further enhances its competitive advantage in the SSPM market.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
Looking ahead, Valence Security is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for SaaS security solutions. The company's strategic roadmap includes:
- Product Development: Continuing to innovate and expand its platform's capabilities to address emerging security challenges in the SaaS landscape.
- Market Expansion: Leveraging recent funding to accelerate programs in the US and grow its go-to-market and R&D teams.
- Partnerships: Strengthening existing collaborations and exploring new alliances to enhance its offerings and reach.
By building on its current strengths and strategic initiatives, Valence Security aims to solidify its position as a leader in the SaaS security domain.
Contact Information
- Website: valencesecurity.com
- LinkedIn: Valence Security LinkedIn Profile
- Headquarters: Tel Aviv, Israel
